Is DISMISSING others a really really BAD habit?

by Terry 19 Replies latest social relationships

• 

  Terry

  If the FACTS are on our side we simply present those facts and allow the evidence to speak for itself.

  However, if we are short on facts--what then?

  More and more I detect a trend among those who publicly disagree: they simply DISMISS others without resorting to facts.

  One's opponent in an opinion war is labeled as "unworthy" of being listened to. Dismissed, shunned, shut down and waved away!

  The Watchtower Society does this, of course.

  Apostate is a label. It is automatically attached to any person who questions their teachings. The words DISLOYAL are quickly brandished and "mentally defective".

  "Satanic" is a biggy! "Proud" and "arrogant" quickly get unfurled on the flagpole, too.

  Is this tactic rude and unsavory or just a really bad habit?

  Certainly it is lazy.

  What about our personal relationships in our family, our casual friends, our rivals or FELLOW BOARD members here on JWn?

  Do we demonstrate being mentally lazy by resorting to dismissing others when they don't swarm all over us with agreement and high fives?

  Do we divide the "audience" by resorting to the easy labels of politcs and religion?

  Do we pounce in groups on other groups like street gangs having an old-fashioned rumble or turf war?

  Shouldn't an opinion be offered with a humble self-awareness that UNLESS we are willing to be WRONG we aren't likely to be convinced by any proof from any quarter??

  Where is personal humility these days on a scale of virtues?

  Are there any VIRTUES even left which are promoted by society--any part of society?

  I'm just thinking out loud here.

  Feel free to jump in and have your say.

  I won't automatically DISMISS you
• 

  Tater-T

  look at the gun debate... any debate = THEY ARE TAKING YOUR GUNS..

  any discussion is dismissed...
• 

  Terry

  I did a Web Search on the word VIRTUES.

  Here is a list of 52 that appeared on my search results.

  I personally don't agree with many of them.

  Which ones would you get rid of and which would you keep?

  assertiveness caring cleanliness commitment compassion confidence consideration cooperation courage courtesy creativity detachment determination diligence enthusiasm excellence flexibility forgiveness

  friendliness generosity gentleness helpfulness honesty honor humility idealism integrity joyfulness justice kindness love loyalty moderation modesty orderliness patience

  peacefulness perseverance purposefulness reliability respect responsibility self-discipline service tact thankfulness tolerance trust trustworthiness truthfulness understanding
• 

  Terry

  look at the gun debate... any debate = THEY ARE TAKING YOUR GUNS..

  any discussion is dismissed...

  Look at the instant POLARITY of the camps in the gun debate! Does either side even regard a "middle ground" as anything less than apostacy to their own viewpoint?

  I like your example.

  Ridicule is the NUMBER ONE tactic used by lazy thinkers.

  Demonize the "other" fellow and make the opponent's arguments unworthy of audience.

  This is the DISMISSAL tactic a nutshell.

  By the way, you only quote ONE side in your example :)
• 

  wasblind

  There are quite a few people I may disagree wit' on certain subjects

  But I'm still open to a discussion.

  There's always somethin' we can find to agree on

  jus' bein' here is one
• 

  gone for good

  Hello Terry - I always enjoy your (thinking out loud) threads. I can't imagine deleting any of those 52 as virtuous attributes. While some may appear to be somewhat unnecessary, or contradictory, I think that to cope with all the diverse situations and dilemas of life 'virtuously¡, we would need them all and quite often at that. Aggression isn't thought of as particularly virtuous, but in rare circumstances, it is the only viable response. Virtues seem the antidote for traits universally repugnant in ourselves or others, arrogance, cowardice,self righteousness, narcissism, ridgidity, treachery ....
• 

  Gopher

  Certain outlooks are held with a religious, absolutist view. People are taught they are right and that anyone who believes differently is a threat to them, their freedom and their beliefs. Paranoid fears lead to intolerance.
• 

  Pterist

  **** More and more I detect a trend among those who publicly disagree: they simply DISMISS others without resorting to facts.***

  When I see it on this forum, I try to look at the motivation behind the replies/comments. Ad Hominum, seems to be the most rhetorical fallacy used here, when the conversation gets personal and the spirit of the topic is ignored.
• 

  return of parakeet

  Terry: One's opponent in an opinion war is labeled as "unworthy" of being listened to.... Dismissed, shunned, shut down and waved away! Is this tactic rude and unsavory or just a really bad habit?

  Certainly it is lazy.

  For the dubs, it's an absolutely essential tactic to prevent common sense and reason from waking up other dubs that may not be completely braindead. They use this tactic in order to survive as a cult.

  As for the posters on this site, yes it's lazy not to support one's position, assuming that there is solid evidence available to support it.

  Parakeet.
• 

  Finkelstein

  Is DISMISSING others a really really BAD habit?

  Not concerning a high control religious cult, its rather promoted vigorously.

  One could see it as the building blocks which create the wall around the organization.